Reflection on the Paschal Triduum (First of Three Parts)

The Holy Week and Easter celebrations in the Christian world will again be held for the second year in  2021 when the whole of humanity is under threat by the corona pandemic.

Recall that last year, the Congregation for Divine Worship headed by Cardinal Robert Sarah " ... reminds the world that the Catholic Church's celebration of Easter cannot be moved to a different date on account of the coronavirus lockdown."  This is because the "Easter Triduum (also known as Paschal Triduum) is celebrated over an arc of three days, which is preceded by Lent and crowned by Pentecost, and, therefore, cannot be transferred to another time."

Last year, the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP) also said, "The annual celebration of the Paschal Triduum is the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year.  This is greatly manifested in the way we celebrate Holy Week as Filipinos full of faith, life and color.  All our parishes take time to prepare for these great celebrations."  Then the CBCP issued advisory to modify the celebration of the Holy Week and Easter during this pandemic.

Since this year 2021 there are still "... restrictions on public assembly because of the coronavirus, the celebration of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter would go ahead in churches and cathedrals without the physical presence of the faithful."  It is so sad that for the second consecutive year the Churches are empty and priests have to bear the pain of celebrating without a congregation.

Let us now reflect on the liturgies for the Paschal Triduum "as the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year".

Holy Week:

The Catholic Church celebrates during the Holy Week the mysteries of salvation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ in the last three days of His earthly life.  It began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion commemorating our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem, until His blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection.

In 2021, the weekdays of March 29 to April 3 are dedicated to the celebration of penance.  The faithful are also encouraged to reflect more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The last three days of Holy Week, April 1-3 in 2021, are called the Sacred Paschal Triduum.  These are the most holy days of the liturgical year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.  These most holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery, first, the passion, suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, followed by His resurrection, the triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

Remember that the Triduum is a single feast, the Paschal Mystery, although celebrated over three days.  Thus, to complete the celebration it has to be the entire three days of the Triduum.  

Day 1 - Holy Thursday (April 1):

In the morning of Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday), the Chrism Mass is celebrated by the bishop with all the priests in his diocese to signify the close unity of the priests with the bishop.  In this Mass, the bishop consecrates the Chrism (meaning, consecrated oil used in baptism and other sacraments) and other oils used in the liturgies.

(Because of the pandemic, Cardinal Sarah in 2020 said "The annual Chrism Mass... may, however, be postponed by bishops to a later date.")

In the afternoon of Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Last Supper is celebrated, at which Jesus instituted the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

In the Last Supper Mass, usually the re-enactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest-celebrant.  The group of men (sometimes with women) whose feet are to be washed should as much as possible represent a cross-section of the local community.  The number is traditionally twelve, representing the twelve disciples, though there is no exact number requirement.

(Again, because of the pandemic, Cardinal Sarah said: "... there will be no washing of the feet, which is already optional, during the Holy Thursday liturgies."

Normally, at the Offertory part of the Last Supper Mass, the faithful are encouraged to offer gifts in cash or in kind for the needy members of the community.  It is an opportunity to share material blessings with them as a concrete witnessing of Jesus' humility and love for us, especially the poor.  (This part is also omitted as there is limited participation of the faithful during this pandemic.)

Then, the ciborium with consecrated Hosts for communion on Good Friday is left on the altar.  Following the prayer by the priest celebrant after Communion part, the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose takes place.  It is not allowed to expose the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance or even in a ciborium.  The Blessed Sacrament is reposed, and also it is not allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the main church.  (Modification during the pandemic:  "The customary  procession from the altar to the place of repose will also be omitted, and the Blessed Sacrament will be kept in the Tabernacle.").

After the celebration of the after Mass, the altar is stripped privately. That means any crosses need to be covered with red or purple cloth or veil.  Even lamps should not be lit before images of saints.

The organ music is silent from Holy Thursday, Good Friday, until the "alleluia" part at the Easter Vigil, as well as bells and other instruments used in the liturgy; the only music permitted during this period is unaccompanied chant.

Usually, the faithful do the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the night, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord during His agony on the Mount of Olives before the betrayal of Judas.  For Filipinos, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is done through the beautiful tradition of  "Bisita Iglesia" by families or groups of friends and relatives.  (This tradition is also omitted during this pandemic.)

CBCP's suggested recommendations last year: "There is an option that after Mass of the Lord's Supper, without the faithful, the priest will carry the Blessed Sacrament in a ciborium with humeral veil, rides on a pick up vehicle and goes to all the streets within the parish.  This becomes the "Bisita Iglesia" of the faithful.

"People with lighted candles wait in front of their homes."

(The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship: "On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of the people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.")

(Parts 2 and 3 in following days.)

Ad Jesum per Mariam!